sargent



(No Model.)

H. B. SARGENT.

MASTER KEY CYLINDER LOCK.

No. 443,261. Patented Dec. 23,1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT EEIcE.

HENRY B. SARGENT, OF NElV HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO SARGENT & COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MASTER-KEY CYLINDER-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,261, dated December 23, 1890.

A li ti n fil d August 18, 1890. Serial No. 362,263. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY B. SARGENT, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Master-Key Cylinder-Locks; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a view in front elevation of a master-key cylinder-lock constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a view thereof in side elevation; Fig. 3, a view showing the lock-case in vertical central longitudinal section and the cylinder in side elevation; Fig.4, a view of the lock in transverse section on the line a b of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a detached plan view of the cylinder; Fig. 6, a similar reverse view thereof with the tumblers removed; Fig. 7, a detached view in front elevation of one of the tumblers; Fig. 8, a similar detached plan view; Fig. 9, a view in side elevation of the master-key; Fig. 10, a similar view of the pass-key.

My invention relates to an improvementin master-key locks, the objectbeing to produce a simple, compact, and reliable lock of that type; and the invention consists in the construction, as hereinafter described, and particularly recited in the claims.

As herein shown, the lock-case is cast in one piece, and consists of a circular beveled faceplate A, provided near its lower edge with a circular opening 13, a sleeve C, extending rearwardly from the face-plate in line with the said opening thereof, than which it is made smaller in internal diameter, so as to form the annular bearing-shoulder D between them, a web E, located centrally above and parallel with the sleeve B and provided with a series of small circular chambers E, opening at their inner ends into the sleeve C and closed at their upper ends by a removable cap F, and with two perforated lugs G G, by means of which the lock-case is secured in place.

The cylinder H, which is located in the sleeve, is provided at its forward end with a sleeve and prevents the cylinder from being moved forward, the said flange and washer thus preventing the cylinder from longitudinal movement in the lock-case, but permitting it to be freely rotated therein. The said cylinder is provided with two parallel longitudinal key slots H and H extending throughout its length and through the flange at its forward end and opening into its lower edge, and with a series of transverse tumblerslots H also opening into its lower edge and intersecting the said key-slots, the said tumbler-slots being centrally enlarged on circular lines, as at H The said cylinder is further provided with a straight series of independent radial circular locking-pocketsl'l formed in its edge opposite the key and tumbler slots and arranged in alignment with the latter. The tumblers, which are located in the said transverse tumbler-slots, each consist of acentral stem I and two fingers I and I respectively projecting in opposite directions therefrom. The stems of the tumblers have bearing in the enlarged central portions of the tumbler-slots, to which they conform in crosssection, and project at their upper ends into the locking-pockets 11*, before mentioned, while the lingers of the tumblers respectively extend across the key-slots H and H in position to be acted upon by the pass-key J and the master-key J Plugs H, inserted in to the outer ends of the enlarged central portions 11 of the tumbler-slots, retain the tumblers in place therein. The lock will therefore have two series of fingers, either of which will operate the tumblers under the influence of an fingers I of the tumblers differentiated; but, if desired, this arrangement may be reversed, although it will perhaps be more convenient to have the pass-key, which is most often used, enter the right-hand key-slot H", and the master-key the left-hand key-slot ll, as herein provided for.

A series of lockingpins K, located in the lower ends of the small chambers E, before mentioned, are suited in length to the differentiation of the fingers 1' of the tumblers with which they co-operate. Normally or when the lock is locked these bolts are entered under the tension of small spiral springs K, located above them in the chambers E, into the outer ends of the locking-pockets II and engage with the upper ends of the stems I of the tumblers.

It will be understood from the foregoing that when the right pass-key is inserted into the right-hand key-slot ll of the cylinder its notches will cooperate with the righthand series of fingers 1, so as to lift all of the tumblers, and therefore lift all of the lockingpins and retire them wholly within their chambers in the lock-case, whereby the cylinder is permitted to rotate. As soon, however, as the key is withdrawn the springs K immediately throw the pins back into the locking-pockets ll of the cylinder, when the same is rotated to bring the said pockets into alignment with the small chambers E, thus relocking the cylinder against rotation. The pass-key J being adapted in the conformation of its notches to the differentiation of the series of fingers 1 of one particular lock in the series will unlock no other lock therein. Inasmuch, however, as the series of lingers l is duplicated in all of the locks of the series, all of the locks therein may be unlocked by the same master-key J. I have thus secured a very simple and compact form of lock of the master-key type.

If desired, the transverse tumbler-slots may be located on the opposite side of the cylinder from the longitudinal key-slots and the independent locking-pockets dispensed with, in which case the plugs Il would not be used and the enlarged portions ll of the tumblerslots left open to receive the locking-pins. Other like departures from the construction herein shown and described might be made. I would, therefore, have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as may fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

llaving fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A cylinder-lock having its cylinder provided with two parallel independent longitudinal key-slots without connection between the two slots and. each of the two slots adapted to receive its own individual key, substantially as described.

2. A eylinderdock having a tumbler consisting of a stem and two fingers respectively extending in opposite directions therefrom, substantially as described.

3. A master-key lock having its cylinder provided with two parallel longitudinal keyslots respectively designed to receive a pass and a master key and with a series of transverse tumblenslots, each intersecting both of the key-slots, substantially as described.

4:. A master-key lock having its cylinder provided with two parallel longitudinal keyslots respectively designed to receive a pass and a master key and with a series of transverse tumblerslots intersecting the said keyslots, and a series of tumblers located in the said tumbler-slots and each consisting of a central stem and of two fingers respectively extending in opposite directions therefrom across the key slots, substantially as de scribed.

In a master-key lock, the combination, with the lock-case, of a cylinder provided with two parallel longitudinal keyslots respectively designed to receive a pass and a master key and with a series of transverse centrallyenlarged tumbler-slots intersecting the said key-slots, a series of tumblers, each consisting of a stem and two lingers respectively ex tending in opposite directions across the keyslots, and a series of spring-actuated pins located in suitable chambers formed in the lockcase and normally engaged with the cylinder to hold the same against rotation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY l3. SARGICN'I.

W itnesscs:

Face 0. CABLE, GEO. l). SEvnoUn. 

